The seasons first major winter storm hit Iowa from late in the afternoon of the 4th into the predawn hours of the 6th.  The storm was a long and drawn out storm with a series of short waves lifting northeast across the area in a broad southwest flow aloft.  Deep moisture was available for the system with a tropical connection in place.  The main mechanism for the precipitation was isentropic lift.  During the early stages of the storm a considerable amount of warm air was drawn in over cool polar air at the surface.  The result was a mixture of freezing rain, ice pellets, and snow over the southeast third of the CWA during the first 6 to 12 hours of the event.  Much of the snow fell in two rounds, though snowfall occurred during the entire period.  The first came during the late evening of the 4th and early morning of the 5th and layed down a swath of several inches of new snow.  The second round came as low pressure formed along a stationary front to the south of Iowa.  Initially, the snow was the result of the warm air advection ahead of the low, then the deformation snow fell in the wake of the low.  The heaviest snow fell during the evening of the 5th, with another several inches of new snowfall.  The heaviest snow amounts fell from west central Iowa, from around Audubon, east through Ames, to near Waterloo.In this band, snowfall amounts in the 10 to 18 inch range were common.  Some of the heavier snowfall included 17.5 inches in Bremer County at Denver, 16.5 inches northeast of Ames in  Story County, 16 inches in Bremer County at Frederika, 15 inches in Roland in Story County, and 14.6 inches in Polk County at Johnston.  To the south of the heavy snow band, icing was a common problem.  Much of Iowa south of Interstate 80 received at least some icing with one tenth of an inch or more common.  Over the south two tiers of Iowa Counties, one quarter to as much as three quarters of an inch of ice accumulated before the freezing rain changed to snow.  Travel was hazardous across the state with many roads snow blocked and the Iowa D.O.T. recommending no travel.  Nearly every school district in the CWA cancelled classes on the 5th and numerous other activities were cancelled or postponed.  Winds during the storm were generally in the 20 to 25 MPH range with some higher gusts to around 35 MPH.  There were reports of some blowing snow in open areas and considerable drifting occurred at all locations.

Heavy Snow in BREMER, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in BUTLER, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CALHOUN, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CARROLL, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CASS, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CERRO GORDO, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CLARKE, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in MADISON, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in MARION, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in MARSHALL, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in MONROE, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in PALO ALTO, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in POCAHONTAS, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in POLK, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in POWESHIEK, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in RINGGOLD, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in SAC, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in STORY, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in TAMA, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in TAYLOR, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in UNION, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in ADAIR, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in ADAMS, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in APPANOOSE, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in AUDUBON, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in BLACK HAWK, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in BOONE, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in DECATUR, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in EMMET, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in FRANKLIN, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in GREENE, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in GRUNDY, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in GUTHRIE, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in HAMILTON, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in HANCOCK, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in HARDIN, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in HUMBOLDT, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in JASPER, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in KOSSUTH, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in LUCAS, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in WRIGHT, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in WAPELLO, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in WARREN, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in WAYNE, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in WEBSTER, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in WINNEBAGO, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in WORTH, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CRAWFORD, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in DALLAS, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in DAVIS, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in MAHASKA, IOWA
From 04-JAN-05 17:00:00 to 06-JAN-05 04:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.